Folsom Native Society folsomnps.org November 2013

Next Meeting Date: Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. At Hummer Haven, the home of Walter Clifton, 22315 Main St, Abita Springs, LA 70420 Phone: (985) 892-1468

Directions: From the circle in the middle of Abita Springs, you take Hwy.59 north. One block at Main Street (Hwy 735), turn right. Go 5 blocks to 22315 Main Street, corner of Pine Street. Or from the circle, you take Level St. 6 blocks to Pine St. and turn right. Hummer’s Haven is across Main Street.

From the President’s Corner

Salutations to All, What glorious weather we are having! It reminds me of the autumns of my childhood in North Louisiana complete with crisp air, blue skies, colorful and wildflowers. The asters () are certainly putting on a show from the small white ones (S. pilosum) to the large flowered blues (S. praealtum). Many of the golden yellow native helianthus and purplish wild argeratum are still in full bloom as well as the blue and red lobelias.

Both large and small (Malvaviscus) Turk's cap's nectar-rich flowers look like Christmas bells and ornaments among the dark green foliage. Holly berries (Ilex) are beginning to ripen. The cones of the southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) are popping open to reveal the meaty red seeds which are eaten by pileated woodpeckers and other wildlife.

Soon it will be time to collect nature's bounty and form it into wreaths and other holiday decorations. The small cones of the spruce pine (Pinus) are perfect for such natural wreaths and sprays. Other findings include the seed heads of yellow-eyed grass, sweet gum balls, cotton seed heads, thornless smilax vines and even the white seed heads of the hated Chinese tallow tree. A base of fresh grape or wisteria vine twisted into the shape of a wreath will complete a natural, down-home holiday decoration.

While you are out enjoying the natural world, don't forget to bring a few paper bags or envelopes and a marker along. These are for any ripe seeds you may run across. Please remember to harvest less than 10% of any stand of native . This will ensure survival of the stand in the wild.

Jenny Geezy annouced that the Bishop Hannan High School wildflower garden is near completion but still needs a few butterfly plants such as native verbena rigida or perhaps hardy purple homestead verbena. Students will soon be launching a blog about the garden. We’ll announce the url at a later date. It is so fulfilling to see a dedicated teacher and native plant lover at work, passing on information about the benefits of gardening with native plants to the next generation. Kudos and a hip-hip-hooray for Jenny and her students.

Our November meeting will be held at Hummingbird Haven, the long-time home of Walter Clifton. If you are not familar with this fabulous backyard habitat, then check out the article in the July/August issue of Lousiana Gardener magazine which is available at all branches of the St. Tammany Parish Library.

As always, bring a covered dish (if you desire) and come join us as we tour a mature wildlife garden. We hope to see you there. Yvonne L. Bordelon

New Officers for 2014 Here is a list of the nominations for the 2014 Board. If anyone would like to add their name(s), please contact Yvonne, A.J. or Candyce and David. For years, these 4 members have been sharing the bulk of the responsibilities of the club and at this time, help is greatly needed.

President: A. J. Bailey Vice President/Program Chairman: Kraig Stutes Treasurer: David Scherer, but wants to step down Plant List Recorder: Needed Newsletter: Yvonne Bordelon, but could use some help. Publishers: Candyce & David Scherer Hospitality Coordinator: Jenny Geesy FNSP Website:(http://folsomnps.org) Yvonne Bordelon

Genus of the Month Symphyotrichum - Asters (Aster, Sunflower Family)

Click on the links below to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center page or the Florida site to learn more about how to cultivate and use each species of native sunflower.

Many asters have been reclassified from the genus "Aster" to the genus "Symphyotrichum". I guess aster was just too easy for us commoners to say and spell. No matter what the current scientific designation, below is information about 5 attractive perennial asters that are common in St. Tammany Parish.

Scaleleaf Aster, Chain- Aster (Symphyotrichum adnatum) formerly Aster adnatus The leaves of this dark to pale blue or lilac perennial aster are small and lie like a chain or scales along the stems. Blooms appear from October through December in sandhills, flatwoods and sandy pinelands.

Calico aster (S. lateriflorum), formerly White Aster (A. lateriflorus) Several small flower heads of white or pale purple ray flowers surrounding yellow or purple disk flowers are on one side of straggly, divergent branches. This is one of a group of closely related white, narrow-leaved asters that probably interbreed and are difficult to distinguish. The common name refers to the fact that the heads are at first yellow and later turn purplish-red, so that flowers on one plant and even a single head may include both colors at the same time.

White heath aster (S. pilosum var pilosum), formerly Fall aster (Aster ericoides), synonyms include Aster ericoides var. platyphyllus, Aster ericoides var. villosus, Aster juniperinus, Aster pilosus, Aster pilosus var. platyphyllus, Aster ramosissimus,Aster villosus The stems, branches and often the leaves of this stout, leafy, much-branched aster are frequently covered with white hairs. The leaves are stiff and narrow, and the flower heads are scattered throughout the upper half of the 3 ft. perennial. Showy, white ray flowers surround yellow disks.

Willowleaf Aster (Symphyotrichum praealtum), formerly Aster praeltus The large clusters of the blue, lavender and purple blooms of this aster appear in fall and are a favorite of . Tall, perennial plants have narrow, willow-like leaves. The seed heads are attractive in winter.

Savanna aster or Chapmans aster (Symphyotrichum chapmanii) Chapman's aster (Symphyotrichum chapmanii) is native to wet pine savannahs of Louisiana, the central and western Panhandle of Florida and a small portion of Alabama. This species has beautiful bluish-purple flowers which measure nearly 2 inches across; the thin rich-lavender petals may be more than 1/2 inch in length.

If you haven’t paid your 2013 dues yet or you’d like to get ahead and pay 2014, here’s a handy form to help you.

Folsom Native Plant Society Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/FolsomNativePlantSociety Statement of Purpose: The purpose of our group is to protect, perpetuate, and propagate the abundant native plants of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, and adjacent areas, focusing primarily on our native wildflowers, which are fast disappearing; and to discourage pollution of our water and ground so basic to their survival.

Our Board for 2013 Dates to Remember

President: Yvonne Bordelon Nov. FNPS Meeting – Sun., Nov. 17, 1:00 p.m. Vice President/Program Chairman: Kraig Stutes Treasurer: David Scherer Place: Home of Walter Clifton Plant List Recorder: A.J. Bailey Newsletter: Nick Blady [email protected] Dec. FNPS Meeting – Dec. 15, 1:00 p.m. Place: Home of Karla Partridge Publishers: Candyce & David Scherer Hospitality Coordinator: Jenny Geesey FNSP Website:(http://folsomnps.org) Yvonne Bordelon Jan. FNPS Meeting – Jan. 19, 2014 1:00 p.m. (tentative) Place: Firehouse on Hwy 40

Folsom Native Plant Society P.O. Box 1055 Folsom, LA 70437